Tynemouth RNLI lifeboats launched after fishing vessel runs aground

A FISHING vessel running aground on the notorious Black Midden rocks led to Tynemouth RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats being launched early on Friday morning (7th Feb).

The skipper of the 20m, 163-tonne vessel radioed for assistance after his vessel suffered gearbox failure whilst sailing out of the harbour, leaving him unable to avoid the rocks.

UK Coastguard’s Humber Operations Centre requested the launch of the RNLI lifeboats at 05:20 and they sped to the scene which was just quarter of a mile from the lifeboat station.

Once on scene the volunteer lifeboat crew members ensured the crew of the stranded fishing vessel were uninjured and in no immediate danger before the crew of the Severn class all weather lifeboat Spirit of Northumberland attached their tow rope to the trawler.

Several attempts were made to pull the vessel from the rocks but the tide was falling and it proved impossible to free it.

After consulting with the skipper of the fishing vessel a decision to leave it where it was until the tide rose high enough to refloat it safely but not so high that it floated free and out of control.. The fishermen were in no danger and happy to remain on board, and the lifeboat crews stood by for an hour to ensure the vessel was stable and not going to roll over as the tide fell. Members of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade also kept watch from shore.

The lifeboats then returned to station with the intention of relaunching later in the day to refloat the vessel.

At 10:15am both lifeboats launched again. The all weather lifeboat tow rope was attached to the trawler which was pulled clear of the rocks and towed the short distance to safety at North Shields Fish Quay while the inshore lifeboat followed as a precaution.

Once the vessel was safely secured the all weather lifeboat refuelled and returned to station.

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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Registered charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.